Paint spinner spray guard

ABSTRACT

A spray guard device intended for utilization with a conventional paint roller and paint brush spinning and cleaning device consisting of an elongated frusto-conical open ended shell having the smaller end adapted to be positioned about the front end portion of the spinner body with the major portion of the shell extending axially forwardly of the spinner body in a manner to overlap and completely surround the item to be spun cleaned thereby, and further provided with a bracket on the exterior of the sheel for detachably attaching the shell in a manner projecting within a container for receiving the spray collected on the interior of the shell in the container. A modification thereof provides that the shell is formed of a skeleton frame structure adapted to support thereover disposable covers for receiving the spray spun off the item being spun cleaned by the spinning cleaning device.

United States Patent [191 Meyer 1 Sept. 24, 1974 PAINT SPINNER SPRAY GUARD [76] Inventor: Warns E. Meyer, 12 E. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake, Ill. 60014 22 Filed: Aug. 24, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 391,140

Primary ExaminerM. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Michael Mar [5 7 ABSTRACT A spray guard device intended for utilization with a conventional paint roller and paint brush spinning and cleaning device consisting of an elongated frustoconical open ended shell having the smaller end adapted to be positioned about the front end portion of the spinner body with the major portion of the shell extending axially forwardly of the spinner body in a manner to overlap and completely surround the item to be spun cleaned thereby, and further provided with a bracket on the exterior of the sheel for detachably attaching the shell in a manner projecting within a container for receiving the spray collected on the interior of the shell in the container. A modification thereof provides that the shell is formed of a skeleton frame structure adapted to support thereover disposable covers for receiving the spray spun off the item being spun cleaned by the spinning cleaning device.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAINT SPINNER SPRAY GUARD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to painting apparatus and more particularly to a novel and improved spray quard adapted for use when cleaning rollers, paint brushes, and the like in the conventional elongated cylindrical spin cleaning device to catch the spray from the item being cleaned and direct the same into a container.

2. Description of the Prior Art A number of methods and procedures are used to .paint different surfaces, but the most frequently used involves the use of paint brushes and paint rollers as such normally reduce the time and effort involved in painting most surfaces, One of the problems generally associated with painting is the cleaning of the paint rollers and paint brushes after use thereof in a manner removing substantially all paint therefrom so that the rollers and brushes are suitable for further painting use.

As known in the prior art, the most efficient and thorough manner of cleaning paint rollers and paint brushes around the home, factory, and the like involves the use of a conventional spinning device in the form of an elongated cylindrical body member having a handle disposed on the back end thereof pivotally connected to one end of a shaft extending through the body and operative in a manner to spin about its axis a cylindrical collar member which is axially secured on the front end of the body in a manner associated with the shaft to be driven thereby. In operation, a paint roller is axially aligned with the collar member and has one end secured thereto so as to be spun about its axis therewith in a manner to provide centrifugal force to the paint and cleaning solvent in the roller surface in a manner to fling combined paint droplets and cleaning solvent droplets outwardly therefrom in the form of a spray which most often creates a messy condition as it is quite difficult to control the scope encompassed by the spray. Further, it is to be understood that the same device is utilized in cleaning paint brushes in that the handle of the paint brush is axially inserted into the collar member with the paint brush then being spun about the axis of the handle in a manner similar to that aforedescribed for the paint roller with the paint droplets and cleaning solvent droplets in the paint bristles being flung outwardly therefrom in the form of a spray.

in the past, painters have had to keep with them a large bucket or other container which could completely receive therein both the spinning device as well as the item to be spun cleaned such that the interior wall surfaces of the container would intercept the spray from the item being cleaned. However, this is not a very satisfactory solution as such container must be of an exceptional depth to encompass the overall length of the combined paint roller and spinning device. and further, must be of a substantial width to permit proper operation of the spinning device. Still further, such is not always satisfactory in that should the spinning device and attached paint roller not be disposed perfectly parallel with the axis of the container, then upon spinning ofthe roller the spray will not project substantially radial to the longitudinal axis of the container but will rather spray outwards radial to the axis of the paint roller which, if at an angle to the axis ofthe container. will direct such spray over the top edge of the container providing a messy condition requiring cleaning and the like of the surrounding surfaces before further painting or cleaning operations can proceed.

In addition, such large container provides the further disadvantage that eventually the paint and solvent sprayed against the side thereof must be cleaned therefrom, this requiring an expenditure of time and effort on the part of the individual painter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is designed to overcome the above noted limitations that are attendant upon the spin cleaning of paint rollers, paint brushes and the like by providing a novel spray guard device adapted to fit over a portion of the spinning device and extend outwardly therefrom in a manner to overlap and completely surround the item being spun cleaned so as to intercept the spray therefrom and direct the same into a container, bucket, conventional size one gallon paint bucket, and the like.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a frustoconical open ended shell having one end adapted to be detachably secured .to the front end portion of a spinning cleaning device with the opposite end projecting axially outwardly therefrom to completely surround the item being spun cleaned, the shell being in the form of a skeleton frame structure having a disposable cover slipped thereover and which is readily interchangable after use with a fresh cover thus requiring no cleaning of the cover member.

Still a further feature of the present invention provides a spray guard of an elongated frusto-conical shape having a-split ring type collar member connected with the smaller end thereof and adapted to be detachably attached to the front end portion of the spinner and temporarily retained thereon by a user grasping the body member and clamp in one hand in a manner to support the body member between the palm and some of the fingers of the hand while simultaneously squeezing the clamp tightly about the body member through use of the remaining fingers on the hand in the hand palm portion thus permitting rapid adjustment of the spray guard on the spinning device body member.

Yet still a further feature of the present invention provides an elongated frusto-conical spray guard having a bucket lip engaging clamp member secured to an exterior wall surface of the guard for temporarily rigidly retaining the guard positioned on the lip of a container with the larger end thereof projecting within the container for depositing therein a paint spray and the like collected on the interior surface thereof during the cleaning operation of a paint roller, paint brush, and the like.

The provision ofa spray guard for use when cleaning paint rollers, paint brushes and the like by utilization of a cleaning spinning device, such as briefly outlined above, and possessing the stated advantages, constitutes the principal features of the present invention. The provision of a spray guard which is simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a low cost and by simple manufacturing methods; one which is rugged and durable and which therefore may be guaranteed by the manufacturer to withstand the intended usage; and one which, otherwise, is well adapted to perform the services required of it, are further desirable features which have been borne in mind in the production and development of the present invention.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spray guard constructed in accordance with the present invention attached to the front end portion of a spinning device and temporarily rigidly retained on the lip of a container;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the spray guard attached to the spinning device with a paint roller axially supported therein illustrating the normal cleaning position therefor;

FIG. 3'is a cross-sectional view taken on Line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of the collar member rotatively secured to the front end of the spinning device and having a paint roller designated in phantom configuration secured therein for spinning therewith;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a modified 'form of the invention utilizing a throw away spray guard cover supported on a skeleton frame structure; and

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 with the disposable cover removed therefrom illustrating the wire supporting frame structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive, a preferred form of a spray guard constructed in accordance with the present invention is designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 10 and is illustrated in the operative position attached to a conventional spin cleaning device 11. The conventional spinning device 11 consists of an elongated cylindrical body member 12 having a front end 13, a back end 14, a longitudinally extending shaft 15 extending along the axis of the body member and having a back end 16 rotatively attached to a handle 17 with a front end 18 associated with a cylindrical collar member 19 illustrated as having one end of a paint roller 20 secured therein with the paint roller axially extending therefrom.

In operation of the conventional spinning device 11, an individual grasps the handle 17 in the fingers of one hand, such as generally designated by reference numeral 21, with the individual grasping the body member 12 in a manner to support the same in the opposite hand, such as designated by reference numeral 22. Hand 21 then pulls upwardly on handle 17 to withdraw shaft 15 axially from body member 12, after which the hand 21 then depresses the handle 17 inwardly of the body member to drive the shaft axially back thereinto, it being understood that the shaft is of a twisted thread forming configuration and is associated with a secondary rotatively supported member (not shown) inwardly thereof providing rotationsto collar member 19 upon the reciprocal inward and outward movement of the shaft l5.

Further, it is to be understood that while the collar member 19 has been illustrated as cylindrical in configuration of a split ring type having a threaded fastener 24 extending radially outward of a threaded aperture 25 provided in a side wall 26 in a manner to adjustably retain therein the top end ofa paint roller 20, such collar member could be readily replaced by any of the known conventional attachments presently provided on the conventional spinning devices 11 adapted to receive thereon in a universal manner paint rollers of various lengths and diameters as well as the handle portions of paint brushes of different sizes and configurations, all being received in a manner permitting rotation of the received item about its axis to spin thereof paint and the like in a manner to clean the item.

The spray guard 10 is in the form of an elongated frusto-conical open ended shell having a side wall 31, a smaller top end 32, and a larger bottom end 33. The top end 32 is provided along its marginal edges with a radially extending inwardly directed circular flange member 34 having a multiplicity of circumferally spaced openings 35 extending therethrough substantially normal to the axis of the device 10 providing for the viewing of the interior 36 of the device during the operation of the spinner as well as to provide air flow through the interior of the device during the cleaning operation.

Connected to the exterior surface of the flange member 34 concentrically therewith is a resilient cylindrical split ring type clamp 41 projecting axially outwardly from the flange member having an interior diameter 42 slightly larger than the diameter of the spinning body member 12 for receiving the same axially therethrough. A radially extending threaded aperture 43 is provided through the side wall of the flange member 41 with a threaded fastener 44 threadedly received therein and projecting outwardly therefrom terminating in an enlarged head portion with the inner end extending inwardly of the inner radius 42 in a manner adapted to engage the outer peripheral surface of spinner body member 12 in a manner to adjustably retain the spray guard 10 thereon.

Mounted to the exterior of spray guard side wall 31 is a longitudinally extending bucket clamp having end 51 secured to the exterior surface of the side wall 31 with the opposite end being a free end 52 spaced a slight distance outwardly from the side wall 31 to define therebetween a bucket or container lip receiving slot 53 adapted to receive therein the lip portion 54 of a container 55 having a carrying handle 56 provided thereon. Free end portion 52 of the bucket clamp is provided with a threaded aperture 57 extending therethrough and threadedly receiving therein a threaded fastener 58 adapted to temporarily rigidly retain the side wall 31 positioned on the lip edge 54 of the container with the larger end 33 disposed inwardly of the container for depositing therein the material, such as paint and solvent, sprayed off the item being cleaned and intercepted by the interior surface 36 of the side wall 31 from whence it runs downwardly into the container 55.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is illustrated a mod ified form of the invention designated generally by reference numeral 60 and which is comprised of two component parts, namely a skeleton frame structure 61 in the form of an elongated frusto-conical shape, and a disposable cover 62 in the form of a frusto-conical open ended configuration of a size and shape to be slipped over the frame structure 61 to provide a disposable cover therefor to intercept paint spray and the like sprayed off of the item being spun cleaned by the spinning device 11 in a manner to retain the sprayed off material within the spray guard 60.

The frame structure 61 is formed of a series of longitudinally spaced concentrically disposed rings 63, 64 and 65 defining the side wall frame portion with the rings being interconnected together by a plurality of circumferally spaced longitudinally extending rods 66, 67, 68 and 69 extending between the smaller end ring 63 to the larger end ring 65, the rods being connected to the rings by any suitable manner, such as by welding, soldering, and the like. Disposed concentrically with ring 63 and projecting axially upwardly therefrom is a circular split ring type clamp 70 having an inner diameter 71 adapted to receive therethrough the body member 12 of the spinning device 11, with a threaded radially extending aperture 72 provided in the side wall of the clamp 70 and receiving therein threaded fastener 73 having an inner end adapted to engage spinning device body member 12in a manner to temporarily retain the spray guard 60 is proper position thereon. In addition, it is to be understood that if threaded fastener 73 is not desired to be utilized, that the spray guard 60 may be retained on the spinning device body member 12 in the same manner as aforedescribed relative to spray guard 10 as to an individual retaining the same properly positioned when grasping the spinning device in one hand, such as designated by hand 22 in FIG. 1.

The cover 62 is manufactured out of any suitable satisfactory disposable material, such as treated cardboard, polystyrene plastic, and the like, which may be produced at a minimum expense in carrying out the disposable aspects of the cover. The cover 62 is in the shape of a frusto-conical open ended cover having a side wall 75, a top smaller end 76, and a bottom larger end 77, the cover being of a size and configuration adapted to be readily slipped over the wire supporting frame 61 with the top end 76 engaging and being supported by top frame rings 63 with the bottom end 77 engaging and being supported by the bottom large frame ring 65.

It is to be understood that the spray guard 10 may also be manufactured out of disposable materials, but it is more preferable that such be manufactured as a permanent device out of metal of which the interior surface 36 thereof may be preferablycoated with Teflon material to minimize the frictional coefficient thereof making cleanability an effortless procedure along with insuring that the maximum amount of the spray flung off the item being cleaned and intercepted by the interior surface runs down the interior surface to be deposited into the container 55.

There is thus provided a spray guard permitting use of the conventional type spinning device in a manner requiring the use of only a regular one gallon size paint bucket or container with the spray from the item being cleaned being completely retained with the spray guard and deposited within the container for future use or disposal. Further, there is provided either a permanent or disposable type spray guard providing a selection to the purchase as to which device would be better selected for the purchasers particular utilization as a tool for use when painting and decorating.

Lil

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1. A paint spray guard device intended for use with a conventional type combined paint roller and paint brush spinner normally provided in the form of an elongated clyindrical spinner body member having a handle on the back end connected to one end of a shaft extending through the body and operative in a manner to spin about its axis a cylindrical collar member which is axially secured on the front end of the body member associated with the shaft in order to spin a paint roller, paint brush, and the like having one end secured in the collar member about its axis so as to clean the same by spinning the paint off the same in the form of a radial extending spray pattern, the spray guard comprising:

an elongated frusto-conical open ended shell having a radially extending inwardly directed circular flange member secured to the smaller end thereof having an inner diameter adapted to be positioned about the front end portion of the spinner body member with the major portion of the shell disposed forwardly of the spinner front end and in axial alignment with the spinner body member in a position to overlap and completely surround the paint roller, paint brush, and the like which is secured in the collar member for cleaning purposes, the flange member provided with a multiplicity of circumferally spaced openings extending therethrough for viewing the interior of the shell during the operation of the spinning device and to provide an air flow therethrough to assist in the cleaning of the item therein; means for adjustably fastening the shell to the front end portion of the spinner body member; and means for fastening the shell to a container for receiving the paint and the like therein which is sprayed off of the item being cleaned with the spinning device. 2. The spray guard device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means adjustably fastening the shell to the front end portion of the spinner body member comprises a resilient cylindrical split ring type clamp concentrically connected to the flange member and projecting axially outwardly therefrom to receive the front end portion of the body member therethrough, the selected adjusted position being temporarily retained by a user grasping the body member and clamp in one hand in a manner to support the body member between the palm portion and some of the fingers of the hand while simultaneously squeezing the clamp tightly about the spinner body member through use of the remaining fingers on the hand and the hand palm portion.

3. The spray guard device as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a threaded fastener radially threadedly received through a threaded aperture in a side wall of the clamp and having an outer end projecting radially outwardly therefrom, the inner end of the fastener adapted to engage the body member in a manner to detachably retain the shell thereon in the adjusted positron.

4. The spray guard device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the means for fastening the shell to a container comprises an elongated container clamp disposed exterior of the shell having one end secured to the shell side wall with the opposite free end extending toward the shell larger end and spaced a slight distance outwardly of the shell side wall in a manner to define therebetween a container lip receiving slot for supporting the shell on the lip of a container with the larger end of the shell extending within the container, and a threaded fastener extending through a threaded opening in the free end of the container clamp extending normal thereto and adapted to temporarily rigidly retain the shell positioned on the container.

5. A paint spray guard device intended for use with a conventional type combined paint roller and paint brush spinner normally provided in the form of an elongated cylindrical spinner body member having a handle on the back end connected to one end of a shaft extending through the body and operative in a manner to spin about its axis a cylindrical collar member which is axially secured on the front end of the body member associated with the shaft in order to spin a paint roller, paint brush, and the like having one end secured in the collar member about its axis so as to clean the same by spinning the paint off the same in the form of a radial extending spray pattern, the spray guard comprising:

an elongated frusto-conical skeleton frame structure having a circular split ring type clamp forming the smaller end thereof having an inner diameter adapted to be adjustably positioned about the front end portion of the'spinner body member, a series of concentrically disposed longitudinally spaced rings defining the side wall frame portion of the frame structure, the rings each connected together by a plurality of circumferally spaced longitudinally extending rods extending from the smaller end of the frame structure to the larger end of the frame structure, the main portion of the frame structure disposed forwardly of the spinner front end portion and in axial alignment therewith in a position to overlap and surround the paint roller, paint brush, and the like type item secured in the collar member for cleaning purposes; and

a frusto-conical open ended cover of a size and configuration to be slipped over the frame structure to provide a cover therefor to intercept paint spray and the like sprayed off of the item being spun cleaned to retain the sprayed off material therein in a manner preventing the spray from encountering the surrounding surfaces exterior of the spray guard.

6. The spray guard as set forth in claim 5 wherein the top end of the cover member is provided with a transversely extending radially inwardly projecting flange member adapted to engage and rest on the top small end frame ring of the frame structure upon the cover being slipped over the frame structure.

7. The spray guard as set forth in claim 6 wherein the cover is formed of treated cardboard readily interchangable on the frame structure with a fresh unused cover in a manner permitting the used cover to be disposed after each few uses thereof.

8. The spray guard device as set forth in claim 6 wherein the cover is formed of a polystyrene plastic readily interchangable on the frame structure with a fresh unused cover as desired by the user.

9. The spray guard device as set forth in claim 6 wherein the cover is formed of a thin walled transparent plastic sheet like material preformed into the required size and configuration to slip over the frame structure and being readily interchangable with a fresh cover with the used cover being of a disposable nature for ease of convenience in cleaning tools and the like after painting in a minimum of time and with a minimum of effort. 

1. A paint spray guard device intended for use with a conventional type combined paint roller and paint brush spinner normally provided in the form of an elongated clyindrical spinner body member having a handle on the back end connected to one end of a shaft extending through the body and operative in a manner to spin about its axis a cylindrical collar member which is axially secured on the front end of the body member associated with the shaft in order to spin a paint roller, paint brush, and the like having one end secured in the collar member about its axis so as to clean the same by spinning the paint off the same in the form of a radial extending spray pattern, the spray guard comprising: an elongated frusto-conical open ended shell having a radially extending inwardly directed circular flange member secured to the smaller end thereof having an inner diameter adapted to be positioned about the front end portion of the spinner body member with the major portion of the shell disposed forwardly of the spinner front end and in axial alignment with the spinner body member in a position to overlap and completely surround the paint roller, paint brush, and the like which is secured in the collar member for cleaning purposes, the flange member provided with a multiplicity of circumferally spaced openings extending therethrough for viewing the interior of the shell during the operation of the spinning device and to provide an air flow therethrough to assist in the cleaning of the item therein; means for adjustably fastening the shell to the front end portion of the spinner body member; and means for fastening the shell to a container for receiving the paint and the like therein which is sprayed off of the item being cleaned with the spinning device.
 2. The spray guard device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means adjustably fastening the shell to the front end portion of the spinner body member comprises a resilient cylindrical split ring type clamp concentrically connected to the flange member and projecting axially outwardly therefrom to receive the front end portion of the body member therethrough, the selected adjusted position being temporarily retained by a user grasping the body member and clamp in one hand in a manner to support the body member between the palm portion and some of the fingers of the hand while simultaneously squeezing the clamp tightly about the spinner body member through use of the remaining fingers on the hand and the hand palm portion.
 3. The spray guard device as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a threaded fastener radially threadedly received through a threaded aperture in a side wall of the clamp and having an outer end projecting radially outwardly therefrom, the inner end of the fastener adapted to engage the body member in a manner to detachably retain the shell thereon in the adjusted position.
 4. The spray guard device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the means for fastening the shell to a container comprises an elongated container clamp disposed exterior of the shell having one end secured to the shell side wall with the opposite free end extending toward the shell larger end and spaced a slight distance outwardly of the shell side wall in a manner to define therebetween a container lip receiving slot for supporting the shell on the lip of a container with the larger end of the shell extending within the container, and a threaded fastener extending through a threaded opening in the free end of the container clamp extending normal thereto and adapted to temporarily rigidly retain the shell positioned on the container.
 5. A paint spray guard device intended for use with a conventional type combined paint roller and paint brush spinner normally provided in the form of an elongated cylindrical spinner body member having a handle on the back end connected to one end of a shaft extending through the body and operative in a manner to spin about its axis a cylindrical collar member which is axially secured on the front end of the body member associated with the shaft in order to spin a paint roller, paint brush, and the like having one end secured in the collar member about its axis so as to clean the same by spinning the paint off the same in the form of a radial extending spray pattern, the spray guard comprising: an elongated frusto-conical skeleton frame structure having a circular split ring type clamp forming the smaller end thereof having an inner diameter adapted to be adjustably positioned about the front end portion of the spinner body member, a series of concentrically disposed longitudinally spaced rings defining the side wall frame portion of the frame structure, the rings each connected together by a plurality of circumferally spaced longitudinally extending rods extending from the smaller end of the frame structure to the larger end of the frame structure, the main portion of the frame structure disposed forwardly of the spinner front end portion and in axial alignment therewith in a position to overlap and surround the paint roller, paint brush, and the like type item secured in the collar member for cleaning purposes; and a frusto-conical open ended cover of a size and configuration to be slipped over the frame structure to provide a cover therefor to intercept paint spray and the Like sprayed off of the item being spun cleaned to retain the sprayed off material therein in a manner preventing the spray from encountering the surrounding surfaces exterior of the spray guard.
 6. The spray guard as set forth in claim 5 wherein the top end of the cover member is provided with a transversely extending radially inwardly projecting flange member adapted to engage and rest on the top small end frame ring of the frame structure upon the cover being slipped over the frame structure.
 7. The spray guard as set forth in claim 6 wherein the cover is formed of treated cardboard readily interchangable on the frame structure with a fresh unused cover in a manner permitting the used cover to be disposed after each few uses thereof.
 8. The spray guard device as set forth in claim 6 wherein the cover is formed of a polystyrene plastic readily interchangable on the frame structure with a fresh unused cover as desired by the user.
 9. The spray guard device as set forth in claim 6 wherein the cover is formed of a thin walled transparent plastic sheet like material preformed into the required size and configuration to slip over the frame structure and being readily interchangable with a fresh cover with the used cover being of a disposable nature for ease of convenience in cleaning tools and the like after painting in a minimum of time and with a minimum of effort. 